Product Description

Mary Ellen Mark (b.1940) began working as a freelance photographer in the mid-1960s. In the 1970s, Mark worked on several bodies of work for which she gained her reputation as one of the most provocative documentary photographers, ensuring her legendary status in the history of photography. In 1976, she documented the women's maximum security ward of Oregon State Mental Hospital, and in 1978 she photographed the prostitutes in the brothels of Falkland Road in Bombay. Both became subjects for books published in 1979 and 1981 respectively. In 1977, she became a member of the photographic agency Magnum, remaining with the prestigious organisation until 1982, when she decided to work independently. In the 1980s and 1990s, she photographed and published books on homeless teenagers in Seattle, a holiday camp for children with cancer in California, Mother Teresa, circuses, and most recently, twins in America. Mark has received an impressive number of grants and awards, including three National Endowment for Art grants, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Picture of the Year Award, and five honorary doctorates, including one from the University of Pennsylvania. Under contract with "The New Yorker" since 2003, she lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #668603 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From Library Journal
With a candid intimacy uniquely her own, acclaimed photographer Mark partners with her subjects to make compassionate and complex portraits. By photographing her subjects in their environments, she creates powerful contextual images that make larger comments on the state of affairs in U.S. society. The images span the United States, ranging from Aryan Nations members in Idaho to rodeo workers in Texas, ballroom dancers in Florida, and shelter residents in New York. Also notable are the serial portraits done over years, as with those of Tiny from Seattle (1983-99) and the Damm family (1987-94). This quality collection is an exciting confirmation of Mark's contribution to contemporary photography and will serve both those familiar with her work, as well as newcomers. Mark's 12th book, this first broad survey of her American photographs from the beginnings of her career in 1963 to the present accompanies a major traveling retrospective organized by Aperture opening next month at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Highly recommended for large public and academic libraries, this is also an affordable overview of her work for small public libraries.
-Debora Miller, Minneapolis
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Mark works in a classic documentary mode: her work imprints itself on viewers in the way that only great photography can."--Harpers Bazaar
-- Review

...Mark emotionally engages her subjects, and through this bond we, as viewers, are drawn in too. -- The New York Times Book Review, Andrea Barnet

Review

Customer Reviews

Stunning.
This book contains some unforgettable photographs. However,in my mind, one stands out above all the others. Jesse Damm; a white boy about ten years old is depicted in profile wearing a torn sweat shirt. His head is shaved and not even his eyebrows are visible. His face has several small scabs or perhaps it is dirt and he does not look well. In deed what he looks like is something out of a horror film. What is so remarkable about this shot is that it fills me with the strongest urge to gather the child up into my arms and take care of him. Remarkable because I've never wanted anything to do with poor or sick people and untill now the only children capable of stirring my emotions have been the attractive ones. This photo made me wonder if perhaps I've discovered something new in myself.

A Glimpse at the Soul
I was fortunate enough to see the exhibition of these photographs at the International Center of Photography a few days ago. If you can, go to see the show before it closes. If you can't, buy this book and get a glimpse at the power of a photograph.

Though no expert, I enjoy the art of photography. I am particularly interested in portraits of real people. Mary Ellen Mark has the ability to capture people with extra-ordinary depth and feeling. Almost without fail, her images are moving. With a skill beyond the normal artist, however, her images have the ability to be thought-provoking.

Consider a photo labelled "Aryan Nations, Hayden Lake, Idaho, 1986." Three pleasant-looking, smiling women--the cherubic face of the woman on the far right particularly draws the eye--set in counterpoint to their white supremacist garb. Or consider the series of photographs of Tiny who has clearly experienced many things in her life but who face, amazingly, holds the same soul in each image. Or consider the contrast between the photographs of Julie d'Aquili and Cynthia Galves despite their similar poses. Julie is a healthy young woman but her somber expression stands out starkly against the cancer-ridden Cynthia who still manages a smile.

I believe that I could write something about every single photograph in this collection. Let me instead just say that these photographs will grip you and hold your attention for hours. You will come back to them again and again. And, unlike reproductions of paintings in a book, photographs do not suffer from the process nearly as much. I would encourage anyone with an interest in photography to take a look at this book.

Respecting the Humanity of All
Summary: These black-and-white images are produced on wonderful paper and with great quality. They explore the underlying human qualities we all share. The work is introduced by a Maya Angelou poem, and is concluded by an excellent essay in which Ms. Mark explains her work. Her subjects are mostly people of the economic and social underclasses as they pursue their hopes and dreams, while dealing with their day-to-day problems. Viewing these photographs will draw you closer to people who, on the surface, are quite different from you. The models are often captured over time and in alternative settings to help explain their lives and personalities.

Content Caution: The images in this book contain a few involving minor female nudity that would earn its contents an R rating if it were a motion picture.

Review:

"I note the obvious differences

in the human family."

" . . . but we are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike." -- Maya Angelou

The theme of this poem nicely captures the focus of this book of loving photographic images. As Ms. Mark says, "I much prefer to photograph people I care about." She wants to "build a rapport with my subjects." In studying them, "I am guided by what moves and surprises me." That final element will affect you as well. Too often, we mentally pass by those around us. Ms. Mark's images make us want to reach out with our hearts and minds.

The book shows people from all parts of America over the period from 1963 through 1999. The photographs portray all kinds of races, creeds, colors, and political and sexual persuasions. Ideas that you may not like are portrayed involving people you will probably find appealing. That juxtaposition of people and issues will cause you to rethink how you relate to others. It will probably make you more modest and humble, and that's good. Special themes involve the mentally ill, twins, homelessness, beauty contests, political rallies, and families over time.

My favorite images in the book are as follows:

Santa Claus at Lunch, New York City, 1963;

Marky Mark concert, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1993;

Hot Tub, West Orange, New Jersey, 1999;

Bodybuilder, Daytona Beach, Florida, 1991;

Russell, Kansas, 1986;

Mary Frances in the tub, Ward 81, Salem, Oregon, 1976;

Jail, Houston, Texas, 1977;

Husband and wife, Harland County, Kentucky, 1971;

Jesse Damm, Llano, California, 1994;

Hurstie Laxton after the flood, St. Louis, Missouri, 1993;

Million Youth March, New York City, 1998;

Lakiesha, South Dallas, Texas, 1988;

Clinton Albright and his father, Santa Clarita, California, 1982;

Nightclub off of Highway 61, Michigan, 1991;

Vashira and Tashira Hargrove, twins, H.E.L.P. Shelter, Suffolk, New York, 1993; and

Tiny, pregnant, Seattle, Washington, 1985.

After you see these photographs, you will probably agree with Ms. Mark that she has been on "a long and blessed journey" that has opened her heart and ours.

Seeing these photographs should encourage you to become acquainted with people you see who you would normally not think to speak to. Try living that way for a day. If you enjoy the experience, keep on going -- taking it . . . one day at a time.

Find the common ground . . . wherever you go!